I'm Not Just a Stupid Dancing Girl: Veena Malik

The starlet-turned-TV host and now a key player in what is fast turning into Pakistan's 24x7 match fixing reality TV soap, Veena Malik now has the world abuzz with her statements allegedly indicting her former boyfriend Mohammad Asif in match fixing. Is she the star witness to another sordid episode of a sub-continental scam or a jilted lover getting back at her former partner? Malik tells Senior Editor sandeep unnithan that she is, in fact, a crusader against corruption in cricket.

Veena Malik

What proof do you have that matches were being fixed?I am witness to the conversation Dheeraj (Dixit) had with Asif where Dheeraj had given him business class tickets to fly to Thailand and offered him $40,000 for a business transaction. Asif said, "No, I want $2,00,000." I have the telephone records, the proof of the 17 calls that Dheeraj made to Asif. What was the money being given for? It is for the investigators to find out.

People in Pakistan call you a publicity hound.Being a woman and a celebrity in a male-dominated society, the easiest thing is to talk about my character. I have come out with the truth. If people took me for a person and not an actor they would see it more clearly. I'm a leading star and a successful TV host on two television stations, I am not a stupid dancing girl. I come from an army background, I have a BA in psychology and I am a social worker.

Is there a bigger conspiracy?It is for the ICC to investigate. So many Pakistani players have been named; there has been talk of English players being involved as well. Over the years, the allegations have been growing. If they are just allegations the players should stand up and speak.

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